I love avocados, sometimes (read: daily) stand on my head to get my creative juices flowing, and I could listen to The Beatles sing, “I’ve Just Seen A Face” everyday, for the rest of forever.

Wondering what goes on here? Yup, so are the rest of us.

1. I am a lifestyle photographer. I have the most remarkable clients in the world, and I share their images here to inspire us all to live life with greater love, meaning and joy.

2. I am a writer. This blog is full of many of the curious thinks I have thunk.

3. I am a speaker and life/business consultant. I post upcoming speaking engagements and consulting information here as well.

4. I am most fulfilled by my work as a wife and mother to my 4 sons, one of whom now lives in Heaven. I share bits and pieces of our journey here on this blog. Including our ongoing struggle with grief, our experiences with ADHD and SPD, and our solid faith in a God much bigger than the challenges we face.

But ultimately, I hope that this blog is about something much bigger than all of that.My dream is for this blog to be a place where real life comes to be celebrated and enthusiastically embraced. Not just the pretty stuff, with tailored hems, clean lines,and the new colors for spring . . . but everything else, too. The frazzled mornings, broken hearts, crazy dreams, messy kitchens. . . even the fear, failure, hopelessness and devastation. I want this blog to be a place for every bit of what makes us all living, breathing, feeling human beings, experiencing together this remarkable thing called life.

May this be a place of passion, purpose, laughter, tears, friendship, encouragement and inspiration for us all.

In 2010, our perfect *”Baby Gavin” returned to Heaven after losing a courageous battle with **Pertussis (whooping cough). We are eternally and profoundly grateful to the thousands upon thousands (upon thousands) of friends and strangers from all over the world, of all faiths and creeds, who united with our family in prayer during Baby Gavin’s horrific illness and who grieved with us and continued to petition God in our behalf during the dark days following his tragic death. You may read Gavin’s story as it unfolded by visiting my old blog here. I am committed to sharing my ongoing struggles with grief and our journey toward joy here on the new blog. I am always humbled and amazed by the continued outpouring of love and support. Thank you for sharing in our journey and inspiring us with your unceasing love! God is good!

*My brother Gavin passed away unexpectedly in 2007. With all these Angel Gavins, it can get a little confusing at times, so just know that when I refer to “Gavin” I’m referring to my wonderful brother. When I refer to “Baby Gavin,” it is in reference to my perfect son, both of whom I cannot wait to see in Heaven!

**You will periodically see me blog about The Sounds of Pertussis campaign. I am an unpaid spokesperson and am only compensated travel expenses where applicable for my involvement with this important cause. Join our fight against this deadly communicable disease at www.soundsofpertussis.com or like us on facebook at www.facebook.com/soundsofpertussis.

I sat here a solid five minutes mulling over how to best describe Leo and Mei. How do you adequately paint a picture of their love for one another, their absolute loyalty and devotion to the friends in their lives, their passionate appreciation and adoration of their family. . .?

The only words that keep coming to mind are not my own, so they’re posted here compliments of Mr Johnny Mercer (hear Etta James perform them for you here):

I’m gonna love you like nobody’s loved you come rain or come shine
High as a mountain and deep as a river come rain or come shine
I guess when you met me it was just one of those things
But don’t ever bet me cause I’m gonna be true if you let me

You’re gonna love me like nobody’s loved me come rain or come shine
Happy together unhappy together and won’t it be fine?
Days may be cloudy or sunny
We’re in or we’re out of the money

But I’m with you always, I’m with you rain or shine

I’m gonna love you like nobody’s loved you come rain or come shine
High as a mountain deep as a river come rain or come shine
I guess when you met me it was just one of those things
But don’t ever bet me cause I’m gonna be true if you let me

You’re gonna love me like nobody’s loved me come rain or come shine
Happy together unhappy together and won’t it be fine?
Days may be cloudy or sunny
We’re in or we’re out of the money

But I’ll love you always, I’m with you rain or shine

I hope you enjoy looking at these images even 1/10th as much as I enjoyed shooting them. Enjoy.

Family, family, more family (and abundant love) for miles.

Friendship that knows NO bounds.

The forever, no matter what, kind of love.

“I’ll love you always, I’m with you rain or shine.”

The wedding was catered by Mei Mei’s Street Kitchen. Yes, Mei is co-owner of this Boston treasure—named Boston’s Best Meal on Wheels!

Then began the most hilarious series of toasts . . . of all time. (Sincerely.)

Complete with a cheese portrait of the bride and groom. . .

I’m tempted to get married again, simply so that these girls could sing a parody at the event. . .

In lieu of cake…

I love you Mei and Leo. Thank you for not only inviting me but EMBRACING me as a part of such a wonderful day in your lives!

Kate:
The joy just jumps off of the screen! This is why pictures are so powerful. So much fun!!! September 18, 2013 6:34 am

Erin Davenport:
I can see so much of you Natalie in the many portraits you took this day, your smile and happiness are absolutely contagious! Mei's blue dress was beautiful and it seems like the day was perfect and full of love and laughter. Awesome job preserving not just what it looked like but what it felt like for them forever! Next time I'm in Boston I'll be watching for Mei Mei's Street Kitchen! :) September 18, 2013 6:46 am

natalie:
Erin, I LOVE what you had to say here! That is my ultimate goal at weddings—to create tangible evidence of the way the day FELT, second unto it is to make the bride and groom feel important and loved. Your comment made my day! xo, Natalie September 18, 2013 7:10 am

natalie:
Kate, Mei and Leo's joy is like that! Absolutely contagious in every way!! September 18, 2013 7:11 am

natalie:
Shelly, Can you even believe her dress and bouquet!! To die for! September 18, 2013 7:11 am

shandra:
wow. these are so. much. fun. I love them all. I want to know these people. that's how good you are :) September 18, 2013 7:16 am

Emily:
HOLY COW. Her dress, their love, their friends and family and those AMAZING POTRAITS. The rainbow. The toasts. YOUR WIG. September 18, 2013 8:08 am

natalie:
Emily, but the wig takes the cake, right? Or I suppose, in this case, the wig takes the doughnuts. ;) September 18, 2013 8:29 am

natalie:
Shandra, THANK YOU! But sincerely, you want to know these people because they are spectacular. I just captured the magic that just drips from them every moment of their lives. xoxo, N September 18, 2013 8:31 am

Chelsea Prince:
These are perfect Natalie! So beautiful! September 18, 2013 8:44 am

Christy Tyler:
Oh my WORD! The joy is palpable in this wedding!! Every single image - SO MUCH JOY. Absolutely stunning! (I have a feeling the guests are mirroring back your giant smile... yes?! Love it!) September 18, 2013 8:47 am

Carolyn:
I feel like I missed out! And the image of her kissing her dad? I just lost it when I saw that. September 18, 2013 9:32 am

alisa:
you are so good!!! looks like a ridiculously fun day!! shoot more weddings. September 18, 2013 10:00 am

Kelly:
OH.MY.WORD. Natalie, these are quite possibly the best photos I've ever seen. Sunshine, rain, (the RAINBOW??? Oh my!) and just plain gorgeous people. What fun! This might be my favorite wedding you've posted since I started following you. Your talent amazes me! :) September 18, 2013 11:01 am

natalie:
Chelsea, THANKS! You and Mei would ADORE each other! September 18, 2013 11:38 am

natalie:
Christy, I think the guests were mostly just responding to the hilarity of my obnoxious laugh, truth be told. ;) September 18, 2013 11:39 am

natalie:
Carolyn, I was crying while I was shooting it. . . September 18, 2013 11:39 am

natalie:
Alisa, I heart you so much! I will only ever shoot the right clients. So as long as the right clients keep knocking, I'll keep shooting. :) September 18, 2013 11:40 am

natalie:
Kelly, THANK YOU! The entire day (well, both days, seeing as I also shot the amazing lobster bake the day before) was the stuff dreams are made of! xo September 18, 2013 11:41 am

Monika:
(This is going to sound like I'm trying too hard to say something sweet... but...) I've never seen a blog post completely BURST FROM ITS SEAMS with joy and happiness and significance. NEVER. Wow. September 18, 2013 6:24 pm

kimberly oyler:
well, you nailed it. as usual. let operation "find a boy to get married to so natalie can take your wedding pictures" commence! September 18, 2013 6:50 pm

natalie:
Monika! WOW! I am speechless! Thank you, thank you, thank you! (And it's interesting, because I was recently trying to describe Mei, the bride, to a friend and I said, "It's like her spirit is just bursting from the seams! Too big for her body!" xoxo September 18, 2013 7:51 pm

Silke/Germany:
Amazing pics as always! Especially love the circle one where everybody is looking down at the camera. Is this recommended though for a crowd of people aged 40+ ? Ahem LOL .... off to try! September 19, 2013 7:10 am

America:
Wow! Such gorgeous, FUN images! This post brought a smile to my face and I don't even know these people. You are incredibly talented! September 19, 2013 11:14 am

Mei:
Natalie - I couldn't possibly love you any more. This is simply the best. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo September 20, 2013 12:20 pm

natalie:
Siike, I wish I could take credit for that shot! It was one of the girl's request! xoxo! September 20, 2013 2:23 pm